The African nation will now need to qualify through a play-off.
Alex Iwobi says Nigeria’s World Cup dream has been “resurrected from the lifeless” after a turbulent qualifying marketing campaign that nearly resulted in catastrophe.
The Tremendous Eagles regarded heading in the right direction for a shock early exit after taking simply three factors from their first 4 video games, drawing at house to each Lesotho and Zimbabwe whereas biking by means of three totally different coaches.
Accidents to star striker Victor Osimhen solely deepened the disaster. However a late surge, together with a 4-0 win over Benin, secured Nigeria’s place within the African play-offs on objective distinction.
Now, Iwobi and his team-mates face a brand new problem: stopping his former Arsenal team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang when Nigeria meet Gabon in Thursday’s play-off semi-final in Morocco.
Chatting with BBC Sport, the Fulham star opened up on the problem he now faces along with his nation.
He stated: “He’s getting on, however you wouldn’t suppose that. He’s a youthful man. I don’t understand how we’re going to lock him up.”
Aubameyang, now 36, has been in deadly type, scoring seven objectives in qualifying, together with 4 in a single sport in opposition to The Gambia – as Gabon completed only a level behind Ivory Coast.
The Marseille striker might be pushed by the possibility to steer his nation to their first-ever World Cup.
Iwobi spoke warmly of his time with Aubameyang at Arsenal, describing the veteran ahead as each a mentor and a good friend. “I used to be his little brother. He took care of me, had banter, made certain I felt comfy,” Iwobi recalled.
“On the pitch, he all the time instructed me to specific myself and be assured. He’s a very completely satisfied man, all the time smiling, all the time optimistic.”
Nigeria’s path to the 2026 World Cup stays a tough one. After ending behind South Africa of their qualifying group, they have to first overcome Gabon after which face the winner of Cameroon vs DR Congo to achieve an intercontinental play-off in March.
That ultimate hurdle would see them face an opponent from Asia, Oceania, South America, or the CONCACAF area for a spot on the expanded 48-team event in North America.
Having missed out on Qatar 2022, Iwobi is decided to make amends. “The arrogance is excessive. I’ve been to at least one World Cup earlier than – I’d like to be there once more. It received’t be simple, however we imagine we will make it. And I do know Aubameyang might be simply as determined to get there too.”